1. MOM will be new billing organisation for levy
All foreign worker levy services will be consolidated under MOM by Dec 2022. The Central Provident Fund Board (CPFB) will no longer be collecting levy on behalf of MOM. MOM will be the new billing organisation for GIRO arrangements for foreign worker levy.
2. Myanmar added to the FATF’s list of high-risk jurisdictions subject to a call for action
Myanmar was added to the FATF’s list of high-risk jurisdictions subject to a call for action. FATF called for countries to apply enhanced due diligence measures proportionate to the risk arising from Myanmar.
In June 2022, the FATF strongly urged Myanmar to swiftly complete its action plan by October 2022 or the FATF would call on its members and urge all jurisdictions to apply enhanced due diligence to business relations and transactions with Myanmar. Given the continued lack of progress and the majority of its action items still not addressed after a year beyond the action plan deadline, the FATF decided that further action was necessary in line with its procedures and FATF calls on its members and other jurisdictions to apply enhanced due diligence measures proportionate to the risk arising from Myanmar. When applying enhanced due diligence measures, countries should ensure that flows of funds for humanitarian assistance, legitimate NPO activity and remittances are not disrupted.
3. All migrant domestic workers to have one rest day a month that cannot be compensated away
From 1 January 2023, all employers must provide their migrant domestic workers (MDWs) at least one rest day a month that cannot be compensated away. This is part of the measures announced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) last year to allow MDWs to rest and recharge from work, as well as form networks of support outside the household. MOM has also developed a guide to support employers and MDWs in initiating early conversations on the rest day arrangements, and to help employers plan for alternative arrangements for the household, if required.
Rest day arrangements must be mutually agreed upon
MDWs and employers should come to a mutual agreement on the rest day arrangements. Arrangements for the monthly rest day can be implemented flexibly to suit the needs of both employer and MDW. For example:
- The rest day can be taken as one full day or over two half-days. It can also be taken on any day of the week.
- The MDW may choose to spend her rest day at home.
- The rest day can be deferred by up to one calendar month. This means that, should both parties agree to defer the rest day in that month, the MDW should take her rest day by the end of the subsequent month.
4. Scam email offering tax refunds to taxpayers
Members of the public are advised to be on the alert for scam phishing SMSes impersonating IRAS. The scam SMS directs taxpayers to click on a link to provide information due to taxpayers’ “unreported income and tax evasion”.
The scam occurs in the following sequence:
- Members of public would receive scam phishing SMSes with the scam sender name “Mysgtax”. The scam SMS directs them to click on an embedded link in order to provide clarifications to IRAS due to “unreported income and tax evasion”.
- Upon clicking on the link in the SMS, the victims would be redirected to a scam website seeking their full name and credit card details.
Here are some tips to avoid getting scammed:
- Click only on links with “iras.gov.sg” or “go.gov.sg”
- For tax transactions, including filing and payments, use relevant forms and digital services in myTax Portal by logging in with Singpass
- Delete suspicious emails and SMSes asking for personal details or login credentials
- Do not download or open any attached files in emails and SMSes
- Do not click on hyperlinks in suspicious emails and SMSes
- Never disclose your passwords, SMS One-Time Passwords or One-Time OTPs to others
